Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This snake has been living in my pond for the past month. I am concerned whether it's a poisonous snake or a harmless water snake. It is about a foot long. It has a rust pattern on a light brown background. It doesn't have a light yellow or green tail so I think it's not a juvenile cottonmouth. I doesn't seem aggressive. In fact it runs away. It just swims in my small fish pond and hangs around my water plants. I have tried to attach a photograph but I can't seem to do it. Could you please help me identify it? Thanks!

Link

First off, where do you live? You may not even live within the geographic range of the Cottonmouth. Secondly, your picture doesn't work. You need to upload it to the Kingsnake photo gallery first and then cut/paste the URL OF THE IMAGE into the "Image Url" field of the message.

The snake in question doesn't sound like it is exhibitng typical Cottonmouth behavior. Cottonmouths don't usually "run away" but will stand their ground when approached. They resort to mouth gaping and flattening of the body as defensive techniques. Do an image search on Google for "watersnakes" and "cottonmouth" and compare photos. A field guide would help as well.
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

Thanks on the information on how to attach a photo to my message. Here is a picture of "my snake". This morning he was sunning himself on the side of my pond. My pond is an ornamental pond with several frogs and many lovely goldfish. Could anyone help me identify what kind of snake it is? I believe based on my research that it is a northern water snake but I could be mistaken. I have looked closely at the snake and it doesn't have the head shape or the eyes of a cottonmouth. I live in the panhandle of Florida so there is always a possibility of having rattlesnakes, cottonmouth moccasins, and other snakes in your yard. If he is harmless, then he is welcome to hang out in my pond. Thanks for the help!

He is a Banded Watersnake (Nerpdia fasciata), and a nice looking one at that. I have a young male from N. Florida that looks similar (I'm from Tallahassee), though not quite as colorful. Typically they are all black with a mere suggestion of reds on their sides indicating where the bands are, but they are an overall variable species. Thanks for cecking with us on the ID. Most people lack your presence of mind and would have killed the snake regardless.
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

Nice photo. Not to put bad thoughts in your head, but how's that goldfish population holding up?

Not to put bad thoughts in your head, but how's that goldfish population holding up?

LOL! ain't that the truth! My Midland goes through about 3 a day! I hate to think what he's gonna cost me when he's full grown

Hello – Are you from New York? Or somewhere in the northeast US? Cottonmouths don’t range farther north than Virginia. That’s about it for any venomous snake that would be inhabiting a pond in that area. A copperhead or timber rattlesnake wouldn’t be hanging out in a body of water for a month. A picture would definitely help, but it sure sounds like you’re dealing with your standard issue harmless northern water snake (assuming I've got your location pegged correctly).

-Joan

We discovered this snake because my husband thought it had ate all of my goldfish. He yelled, and I came running. My fish were still there, but they were swimming at the bottom of the pond. Most of my goldfish are larger. This snake is very thin so I knew that day that he hadn't ate my fish. I did find some rodent bones by my pond. Would he eat rats? If he does, that would be great! We live near the woods and we have a problem with rats.
This morning he was just laying around my water plants enjoying the sun in beautiful Florida. What a life!

Although some of us keep “pet” water snakes that we have gotten to eat mice and rats through trickery like scenting them with fish odors, no, they normally wouldn’t be eating rodents. You probably have far more toads and frogs around than goldfish, so I’d think those would be your snake’s primary food right now.